8th annual Death Race tests the living limits

The Death Race has been called one of the toughest races in the world. This past weekend in Pittsfield, hundreds participated in a race that is designed to test the body and mind.

Beginning on Friday morning, racers were required to complete a series of tasks in both a team and individual setting. These challenges included building a staircase out of boulders, a 30-mile hike, climbing through barbed wire, chopping wood, and a three-mile swim. Arguably the most challenging part of the Death Race is that the entire race is unknown to the competitors. It is designed to place the participants in a real-life setting where they do not know what to expect.

Every year, just like the tasks change, the theme changes too. In the 8th annual race this weekend, it was the "Year of the Gambler." After every challenge that was completed, the racers were awarded a gambling chip. The final challenge in the 70-plus hour race was a game of high-low. If the racer won the card game, they were rewarded with a skull trophy, which signified the completion of the Death Race.